Spray head



Margh 12, 1963 G. L. HARTMANN SPRAY HEAD Filed Dec. 15, 1961 INVENTOR.GILBERT L. HARTMANN BY WMZW nited States Fatent Gi e 3,681,040 SPRAYHEAD Gilbert L. Hartmann, Whitefish Bay, Wis, assignor to MilwaukeeFaucets, Inc, Milwaukee, Wis. a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Dec. 13,1961,'Ser. No. %,108 7 Elainls. (Cl. 239-457) This invention relatesgenerally to improvements in the art of creating liquid spray, and itrelates more specifically to improvements in the construction andoperation of spray heads especially adapted for use in shower bathinstallations.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improvedliquid spray device which is simple in structure and efficient inoperation.

Some of the more important and specific objects of the invention are asfollows:

To provide an improved shower spray head which embodies a minimum numberof simple parts adapted to be readily manufactured and assembled ordismantled.

To provide an improved shower head which may be conveniently adjusted todeliver liquid spray in any desired direction with variable intensity,and in which objectiona-ble leakage or dripping of liquid is eliminated.

. To provide a compact and simple spray head composed of a minimumnumber of parts which may be produced at moderate cost from durablematerials, which will resist excessive wear and thus avoid necessity forrapid replacement, and in which the spray producing components areespecially resistant to the action of hard Water and lime deposits.

To provide an improved shower nozzle of the univer-' sally movable ballsuspended type wherein the ball joint is positively locked againstpossible separation when the device is in use, and which is relativelytamper-proof after assembly.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following disclosure.

A clear conception of the features constituting the present improvement,and of the construction and operation of a typical spray shower headembodying the invention, may be had by referring to the drawingaccompanying and forming a part of this specification in which likereference characters designate the same or similar parts in the variousviews.

FIG. 1 is a central vertical section through one of the improved sprayheads, but showing a part of the spray adjusting disk in elevation;

FIG. 2 is a part sectional bottom View of the same spray head, thesection having been taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse horizontal section through the same spray headtaken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the spring and ball joint locking plate ofthe same spray head.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as havingspecial utility when embodied in spray heads for shower bathinstallations, it is not intended to limit the use of the improvementsto such shower heads; and it is also contemplated that specificdescriptive terms employed herein be given the broadest possibleinterpretation consistent with the disclosure.

Referring to the drawing, the typical spray head shown therein by way ofillustration comprises, a tubular casing 6 having a spherical zone seat7 at one end and a series of circumferentially spaced inwardly directedlugs 8 remote from the seat 7; a hollow ball member 9 co-acting with theseat 7 to provide a universally adjustable liquid admission support forthe casing 6; a plate 10 normally confined within the casing 6 and beingprovided with a Patented Mar. 12, 1963 2 series of circumeferen-tiallyspaced peripheral notches 11 and with an intervening series ofcircumferentially spaced peripheral sockets 12, the spacing of which isthe same as that of the casing lugs 8; resilient means such as a helicalcompression spring 13 interposed between the plate 10 and the ballmember 9 for simultaneously retaining the ball against the casing seat 7and the casing lugs 8 seated within the sockets 12; and -a liquid spraydischarge regulating disk 14 adjustably secured to the plate 10.

The casing 6 is preferably made of sheet metal and is tapered toward itsopen end remote from the ball seat 7, and the lugs 8 are formed integralwith the casing wall somewhat above its open lower annular end 16. Theball suspension member 9 is preferably made of metal and is providedwith a central passage 17 for admitting liquid into the casing interior,and this member 9 also has a screw-threaded portion 18 for attaching itto a liquid supply conduit, see FIG. 1. A flexible sealing ring 19coasts directly with the ball of the member 9 and is engaged by a metalring element 26 with which one end of the spring 13 coacts to constantlyforce this ball into sealing engagement with the casing seat 7, and theopposite end of this spring reacts against the locking plate 10. Whilethe ball 9 afford a swivel suspension for the spray head, this ball maybe replaced by a fixed member having a water inlet conduit thereinwithout departing from the invention.

The plate It) is an important part of the present improvement, and itmay be made of metal or durable plastic of a diameter slightly less thanthe internal diameter of the tubular casing 6, see FIGS. 1 to 4inclusive. This plate 10 besides having the peripheral notches 11 andsockets 12 formed therein is provided with a plurality of holes 22 forpermitting relatively large liquid jets to flow therethrough, and with acentral integral hub 23 and integral spring centering ribs 24 radiatingfrom the hub. Each of these ribs 24 is formed as shown in FIG. 1 inorder to maintain the helical spring 13 perfectly centnalized within thetubular casing 6, and the ribs also reinforce the plate 10 and preventdistortion thereof.

The spacing of the plate notches 11 and of the plate sockets 12. is suchthat the plate 10 may be bodily inserted within the casing 6 and pressedinwardly to compress the spring 13 when the notches are in alignmentwith the lugs 8, and the plate 10 may then be rotated after the lugs 8have passed through the notches 11, and the pressure may be subsequentlyreleased to cause the spring '13 to force the sockets 12 over andagainst the casing lugs S as shown in FIG. 1. The plate 10 willthereafter be locked in position to confine the spring 13 and ring 19within the casing and the suspension ball against the seat 7, but theassemblage may be just as readily dismantled by reversing the foregoingoperations, all of which can be eifected by assemblymen without the aidof special tools.

The water flowing through the openings 22 is conducted to the spacebetween the plate 10 and the liquid spray discharge regulating disk 14which may also be constructed of metal or durable plastic and this disk14 is provided with an integral central screw-threaded spindle 26adapted to snugly coact with internal screw threads formed in the hub 23of the locking plate 10'. The disk 14 also has a series of small sprayopenings 27 and an annular series of peripheral spray grooves 28therein, the latter being inclined toward the interior of the casing 6and cooperable with the annular casing end 16 to vary the sprayintensity when the disk 14 is rotated relative to the plate 10. When thedisk 14 is adjusted toward the interior of the casing 6, the spraysdelivered through the grooves willdiminish in intensity and vice versa,and in order to facilitate rotary adjustment of the disk 14, it

3 is provided with an integral transverse gripping flange 29 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

While the coacting screw threads of the disk spindle 26 and plate hub 23may be of sufiiciently tight fit to permit rotary adjustment of thespray regulating disk 14 while still preventing ready complete removalof this disk, the disk 14 may also be positively attached to the plate16 by means of a screw 30 driven centrally into the free end of thespindle 26 and slightly overlapping the adjacent end of the hub 23, seeFIGS. 1 and 3. This stop screw 36 prevents tampering and possible theftwhile still permitting the disk 14 to be adjusted outwardly of thecasing 6 any distance within the length of the grooves 22 in order tovary the intensity of the spray delivered from the nozzle, and thisfeature is especially valuable in public installations. When the stopscrew 30 is utilized it must either be applied through the inlet 17 ofthe ball or before the locking plate is inserted within the casing inwhich case the spray disk 14 is used to effect assembly of the sprayhead, the screw then positively preventing removal of the disk 14without first releasing the plate 10.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the presentinvention provides a compact and simple spray head Which is highlyflexible and effective in use and may be readily assembled or dismantledwhen necessary. After the plate 10 is snapped into place, it positivelymaintains the shower nozzle in assembled condition and prevents possibleseparation of parts while the device is in use; and it also cooperateswith the spring 13 and ring 19 to produce an efiicient seal and toeliminate leakage between the ball suspension member 9 and the casing 6.The flexible sealing ring 19 is reinforced and protected by the metalring element 20 with which the spring 13 coacts, and this spring ismaintained in central position within the casing 6 by the ribs 24 whichalso serve to reinforce the plate 10. While the nozzle unit may bereadily initially assembled, it can only be dismantled for internalinspection or replacement of parts with somewhat more difficulty due tothe use of the stiff spring 13, and when the stop screw 30 is providedthe spray disk 14 is tamper-proof and cannot be removed from theassemblage without first releasing the plate 10 from the lugs 8 of thecasing 6. Also, by forming the plate 10 and disk 14 of suitable plastic,these parts are highly resistant to lime deposits and corrosionotherwise resulting from the action of minerals and the like carried bythe water.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention:

I claim:

1. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having an inlet atone end and a series of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed lugsremote from said inlet, a plate normally confined within said casing andbeing provided with a series of circumferentially spaced peripheralnotches and with an intervening series of circumferentially spacedperipheral sockets, the spacing of said notches and said sockets beingthe same as that of said lugs, and resilient means interposed betweensaid plate and said inlet end for retaining said casing lugs seatedwithin said plate sockets.

2. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having a ball seatat one end and a series of circumferentially spaced inwardly directedlugs remote from said ball seat, a hollow ball member coacting with saidcasing seat to provide a universally adjustable liquid admission supportfor said casing, a plate normally confined within said casing and beingprovided with a series of circumferentially spaced peripheral notchesand with an intervening series of circumferentially spaced peripheralsockets, the spacing of said notches and said sockets being the same asthat of said lugs, resilient means interposed between said plate andsaid ball member for simultaneously retaining the ball against saidcasing seat and said casing lugs seated within said plate sockets, and aliquid spray discharge regulating disk adjustably secured to said plate.

3. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having a ball seatat one end and a series of equally circumferentially spaced inwardlydirected lugs near its opposite open end, a hollow ball member coactingwith said casing seat to provide a universally adjustable liquidadmission support for said casing, a plate normally confined within saidcasing but being rotatable and provided with a series ofcircumferentially spaced peripheral notches and with an interveningseries of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets, the spacing ofsaid notches and sockets being the same as that of said lugs, a helicalcompression spring interposed between said plate and said member forholding the ball against said casing seat and said lugs within saidsockets, and a liquid spray discharge regulating disk adjustably securedto said plate and coacting with said opposite casing end, said platebeing freely insertable within and removable from said opposite casingend when the plate is forced inwardly to release said lugs from saidsockets and is rotated to bring said notches in alignment with the platenotches.

4. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular sheet metal casing having aball seat at one end and a series of equally circumferentially spacedinwardly directed lugs near its opposite open end, a hollow metal ballmember coacting with said casing seat to provide a universallyadjustable liquid admission support for said casing, a plastic platenormally confined within said casing but being rotatable and providedwith a series of circumferentially spaced peripheral notches and with anintervening series of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets, thespacing of said notches and sockets being the same as that of said lugs,a flexible sealing ring coacting with the ball of said member, a helicalcompression spring interposed between said plate and said ring forholding the ball against said casing seat and said lugs within saidsockets, and a plastic liquid spray discharge regulating disk adjustablysecured to said plate and coacting with said opposite casing end, saidplate being freely insertable within and removable from said oppositecasing end when the plate is forced inwardly to release said lugs fromsaid sockets and is rotated to bring said notches in alignment with theplate notches.

5. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having a ball seatat one end and a series of circumferentially spaced inwardly directedintegral lugs remote from said ball seat near its opposite open end, ahollow ball member coacting with said casing seat to provide auniversally adjustable liquid admission support for said casing, aperforated plate normally confined within said casing and being providedwith a series of circumferentially spaced peripheral notches and with anintervening series of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets, thespacing of said notches and said sockets being the same as that of saidlugs, and a helical compression spring interposed between said plate andsaid ball member for simultaneously retaining the ball against saidcasing seat and said casing lugs seated within said plate sockets, saidplate being rotatable to align said notcheswith said lugs for freeinsertion or removal of the plate through said open casing end whenforced inwardly to compress said spring and release said lugs from saidsockets.

6. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having an inlet atone end and a series of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed lugsremote from said inlet, a plate normally confined within said casing andbeing provided with a series of circumferentially spaced peripheralnotches and with an intervening series of circumferentially spacedperipheral sockets, the spacing of said notches and said sockets beingthe same as that of said lugs, resilient means interposed between saidplate and said inlet end for retaining said casing lugs seated withinsaid plate sockets, a liquid spray discharge regulating disk adjustablysecured to said plate and cooperable with said casing remote from saidinlet to vary the discharge spray, and means on said disk coacting withsaid plate and accessible only from said inlet end for preventingdisplacement thereof from said plate.

7. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having an inlet endand a series of equally circumferential- 15/ spaced inwardly directedlugs near its opposite open end, a plate normally confined Within saidcasing but being rotatable and provided with a series ofcircumterentially spaced peripheral notches and with an interveningseries of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets, the spacing ofsaid notches and sockets being the same as that of said lugs, a helicalcompression spring interposed between said plate and said inlet end forurging said plate toward said opposite end to retain said lugs withinsaid sockets, and a liquid spray discharge regulating disk adjustablysecured to said plate and coacting with said opposite casing end, saidplate being freely insertable within and removable from said oppositecasing end when the plate is forced inwardly to release said lugs fromsaid sockets and is rotated to bring said notches in alinement with theplate notches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.23,646 Burdick Apr. 21, 1953 2,680,649 Hansen June 8, 1954 2,690,930Corson Oct. 5, 1954 2,756,108 Warren July 24, 1956 3,003,650 Prokop Nov.14, 1961

1. A LIQUID SPRAY HEAD COMPRISING, A TUBULAR CASING HAVING AN INLET ATONE END AND A SERIES OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED INWARDLY DIRECTEDLUGS-REMOTE FROM SAID INLET, A PLATE NORMALLY CONFINED WITHIN SAIDCASING AND BEING PROVIDED WITH A SERIES OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACEDPERIPHERAL NOTCHES AND WITH AN INTERVENING SERIES OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLYSPACED PERIPHERAL SOCKETS, THE SPACING OF SAID NOTCHES AND SAID SOCKETSBEING THE SAME AS THAT OF SAID LUGS, AND RESILIENT MEANS INTERPOSEDBETWEEN SAID PLATE AND SAID INLET END FOR RETAINING SAID CASING LUGSSEATED WITHIN SAID PLATE SOCKETS.